Page 75 of Strike & Score
“Yeah?” I turn my head to the side, our lips barely an inch apart. “Why’s that?”
“Something about a mask seems to get my girl going.”
“That so?”
“Welcome home,” my mom’s voice calls out, and I jump away from Colin quickly, even though I can feel his annoyance instantly.
My mom and Walter are both walking into the living room where we’re standing. I don’t miss the look Walter gives his son. It’s obvious what Colin told me before is true, and probably even more so now if he just saw even a second of how we were standing.
He knows.
I can’t tell if my mom has any idea, but she’s also always been a good actress. I think that’s why she managed to land the perfect life she’d always dreamed of. Pretended like she fit in until she finally did.
“I feel like it’s been so long.” Mom pulls me into a hug that feels out of place. I narrow my eyes, and look over at Colin to see his reaction, but he’s currently in a stare off with Walter apparently.
“Uh, it’s only been like two weeks,” I tell her.
“Well I know, but you left so abruptly I feel like we didn’t get an actual goodbye.”
“And again, it was only for a couple weeks. You’ve been on vacation longer than that before.”
“Oh please, save the dramatics, Mayson,” my mom scolds and I roll my eyes.
“I don’t think I’m the one being dramatic,” I mumble.
Neither Colin or his dad have said anything, but of course my mom grabs onto her husband’s arm, drawing his attention away from his son. “Aren’t you just so glad they’re back, honey?”
“So glad. It’s nice to have the whole family under one roof,” Walter says, pointedly at Colin, who shifts on his feet.
“Yeah, nothing like beingclosewith family.” Colin wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.
I try to push away, but his grip is ironclad.
“That’s the Christmas spirit.” My mom says, even though Christmas is still weeks away. But she seems just as oblivious as she always is.
The tension is so thick, but clearly she’s choosing to ignore it.
“Son, I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes, and we can let the girls catch up.”
I shake my head because they act like we’ve gone off to war for months. Not back to the fancy townhouse paid for at our fancy college just across town for a two weeks.
“Fine,” Colin agrees reluctantly, and I’m sure they’re going to go to Walter’s office for their ‘chat.’
As soon as they’re gone, the smile on my mom’s face drops and she glares at me. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What?” I rear back like she slapped me.
“I thought Walter was being ridiculous. When I told you I wanted you to be set up for life Idid notmean with Colin.”
Guess I was wrong, she does know.
“Why not?” I sass because if she knows, I’m not going to deny it.
“Because he’s your brother, Mayson, what’s wrong with you?”
“Stepbrother,” I correct. “It’s not like we grew up together, we were in high school when you guys got married.”
“Still. He is not the one for you,” she insists.
